The Truth About Anchor Holding Power vs. Weight in Storm Conditions

Anchoring conditions in all types of adverse weather are extremely important to any sailor or boater for holding power. When the wind howls and huge waves roll, a good anchor can mean the difference between being safe and being in big trouble. A lot of people are under the impression that heavier anchors are better when the weather and the sea are rough, but not necessarily.

It’s worth noting that heavier is not necessarily better when it comes to anchors in storms. 

Weight can certainly help an anchor hold better, but it’s not the only thing to consider. How an anchor is designed and shaped is just as important as how much it weighs when measuring how well it holds.

And from the study on how anchor weight and holding power come into play during a storm, we can see that there’s a balance to be had. 

Sometimes, if an anchor is too heavy, it can just pull away or become lodged in strong currents or shifting tides. Too light, and the boat anchor may not keep the boat steady in heavy weather.

Several factors are key to making an anchor effective in bad weather: its size and shape, the materials it is made of. 

A light anchor with a sharp point and robust construction and a good release mechanism can work better than a larger, badly made boat anchor. And what’s on the sea floor can actually change how firmly an anchor holds in stormy weather.

The bigger the anchor, many boaters believe, the better. 

Bigger isn't always better: Though a bigger boat anchor may appear to be stronger, it might not be more efficient in rough seas. In a smaller, strong and well designed anchor often times can outperform even a larger, heavier anchor which is as well-made.